Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-09-16
Centennial of the Constitution.

Mr.. Gladstone in his letter reply
ing to the invitation sent him by the
Committee at Philadelphia, to attend
the celebration of the Centenary of our
National Constitution, makes use of
these words regarding that instru-
ment:
81 have always regarded that Constitution
as the most remarkable work known to me IN
modern times to have been produced by the
human intellect, at single stroke so 10
speak,, in its application to political affairs.
Coming from the great English
statesman this is remarkable utter
ance. The Constitution of the q. S.
has now existed a hundred years,
with some amendments made to it it
is true, but with little if any change
in oil its original parts. Consider
ing the times in which it was framed
and the times now; the condition and
feebleness Of the country then and its
condition and strength now; the thlr-
teen thinly peopled States then and
the near forty now of, some of them,
great empires in themselves; and con-
sidering generally the great changes
made within the hundred years, all
must agree with Mr.. Gladstone and
wonder with him at the durability of
that instrument. State Constitutions
have, in some cases, been remodeleG
or reformed two or three times.
Pennsylvania has changed hers twice
by new Conventions, giving new
Constitutions. During all this time
there has been no regular attempt
made to change or reform the Nation
al Constitution. And yet it cannot
be said that no changes are needed.
Owing to the condition of our coun-
try when it was formed many impor-
tant questions had to be smoothed
over or compromised. Notably was
this the case on the question of negro
slavery then existing. but since blot
ted out through war and blood.
Other questions or matters might be
referred to, as to which the country
has been pulling along as it were in
spite of anything found in the Ma
tional Constitution. to aid, prohibit
or justify action upon. The currency,
the confi citing legal proceedings and
legal remedies among the different
States, the commerce between the
States, at the present time giving
rise to many troublesome contests
and questions, these and other mat
ters that concern the good of all
parts of the country would seem to
require that the time had come when
there should be general overhaul
ing of the Constitution of the U. s.
From the days of Hamilton, Madi-
SON and Jay. who wrote to urge up
on the States the acceptance of their
work, as the very best that they
could then give or obtain, to the pres
ent day, there has always been great
and diverse opinions among our
Presidents, Governors, Senators and
Judges, as to the powers conferred in
or withheld by the Constitution in
many matters of legislation. The
different views on the question OF
Estates Rights" brought on the late
civil war, and only war settled them.
Other great differences of opinion
may soon arise in country growing
SO rapidly, and extending so vastly,
that wisdom would seem to dictate
the present as the time when steps
should be taken to secure more per
feet, certain and clear bond of union
among the States and for the people.
The threatening great influx of the
worst elements of foreign populations
to our shores might be mentioned as
one alone that provision should be
made against, and made diff
ferent from the provisions
of the present Constitution
relative to immigration to this coun-
try. The day is not far distant when
tie people of the different States, or
their Legislatures, will have to move
in the matter of reforming our
National Constitution.